HISTORY 

OF 

AMBULANCE COMPANY No. 105 

(FORMER FOURTH N. Y. AMBULANCE CO.) 

102nd SANITARY TRAIN 

27th DIVISION, U. S. A. 



Copyright 1919 

WALTER CHASKEL 

557 Academy St.. Astoria. L I., N. Y. 






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Living' Insignia, 2;th I)i 
.Maj. Ccn. John F. (VRv 



I'op.vriKlit March 18. 1919 
Mole & Thomas. 915 Mfdinah Bhig., Tliicago. III. 



APr< 30 |y|9 



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)N November 10, 1915, the Fourth Ambulance Company, N. G. N. Y., was formally mustered into 
^State Service at the Jefferson Street Armory, Syracuse, N. Y., by Lt.-Col. W. S. Terriberry, the Division 
SSurgeon. Ten days previously, Capt. Jefferson B. Latta had received orders from the Adjutant Gen- 
Jeral of the State of New York to organize this company, and in this comparatively short space of time 
'a full complement of men had been obtained. Durng the ensuing months recruiting progressed rapidly, 
^and on March 10, 1916, the maximum war strength of 79 men and 5 officers had been reached. The 
officers at that time were Capt. Jefferson B. Latta, and First Lieutenants William E. Truex, Ralph H. Dunning, Fred- 
erick S. Wetherell, and Seymore E. Schwartz. 

A week after the call of the President on June 19, 19 16, the company proceeded to Camp Whitman, N. Y., 
where it was mustered into Federal Service on July 9th. On July 1 5th the week's railroad journey to McAllen, Texas, 
was started, and the company, as a unit of the Sixth Division, began its term of service on the Border, which, though 
originally supposed could not possibly last more than ninety days, actually was prolonged month after month, through 
Election Day, the anniversary celebration on November 10th, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Finally tents 
were struck on February 19, 1917, and a happy company, including the pet burro "Texas'", was at last northward 
bound. Long though the term of duty had been, there was seldom a dull moment, and in reminiscing over the 
McAllen days, perhaps it is to be pardoned if the "Old Timers" make affectionate reference occasionally to that now 
well-worn phrase. "When we were on the Border." A picket line with sixty-five mules and twenty-two horses, hunting 

expeditions for ducks, quail, rabbits, rattlesnakes, etc.,^ 

sand storms and hurricanes, ditch-digging. Divisional 

Reviews, ambulance convoys to Sterling's Ranch and the 

Artillery Range at La Gloria, the ten-day hike to Fort 

Ringgold, Rio Grande City, all these, and many more 

incidents bring back memories which the years cannot 

efface. Almost every man made a trip either to San 

Antonio, Corpus Christi, or Brownsville, and across the 

International Bridge to Mafamoras, Mexico. Two of the! 

more venturesome members, attired as German aviators, ] ■? 

penetrated two hundred miles into the interior of Mexico 



to the City of Monterey. 

An emission and a commission occurred toward the 
end of 1916. respectively, in the resignation of Lieutenant 
Whetherell from, and the assignment of Lt. Reginald M. 
Ballantyne to this organization. Shortly after the muster 
out of the company, which took place on March I st, 
Lieutenant Dunning tendered his resignation, and later 
became the "Dashing Leader" of the depot unit. 



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Fourth Ambulance Co.. McAllcn. Te.x.. 1916-17 




The routine of weekly drills at the Armory was shortly enlivened 
by the appearance of a sprightly sergeant-instructor by name of 
White, whose "vun, two, tree, four" resounded through the arched 
dome of our Armory in tones like unto that of an excited fish 
peddler. Attention, men! More respect must be shown. Salute 
your new officer. Lieutenant White. Yes. indeed, in those mid- 
summer days of 1917 many queer things were sprung on us; but 
despite all handicaps, a full quota of men answered the call on July 
16, 1917. Drafted into Federal Service on August 5th, the organi- 
zation became known as Ambulance Company 105, 102nd Sanitary 
Train under the organization of the 2 7th Division, and on Septem- 
ber 7th proceeded to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C. The 
Camp site was admirably located on a nice broad roadway, and all 
the tents, the mess hall and shower baths electrically lighted. 
Thanks to the close proximity of the Base Hospital, new wards of Picket Line. McAUen, Tex. 

which were constantly under course of construction, the tents acquired wooden floors and sides as if by magic, and 
later in the year when the "Sunny South" took on the appearance of Labrador, stoves and coal became an additional 
gratuitous issue. 

Lieutenant Bal'.antyne returned to his command September 22. 1917, having been absent on detached service 
at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., with Lieutenant Schwartz since July. The latter remained at the Fort until the follow- 
ing month and resigned his commission in the National Guard to 
accept a commission in the Regular Army. First Lieutenant John 
W. McKemy, Medical Reserve Corps, was assigned to this command 
from Fort Benjamin Harrison in November and received his com- 
mission as Captain M. R. C. the following month. On April 1st, 
1918, Captain Truex received notification of his promotion to that 
rank, and on the I 0th Captain Ballantyne was likewise notified. 

In October the Company received its equipment of thirteen 
motor ambulances and from then on performed ambulance service 
for the entire camp as well as for the target ranges located twenty 
miles distant in a most picturesque section of the Blue Ridge 
mountains. Valuable experience was gained by details of men 
who were assigned at various times to the infirmaries of the Ammu- 
nition Train at Gowansville and Campobello, as well as in the 
operating room, dressing room, and wards of the Base Hospital. 





Again the anniversary on November 1 0th was celebrated in 
fitting manner by a banquet and entertainment at the Cleveland 
Hotel, Spartanburg's Hotel DeLuxe. For Thanksgiving and 
Christmas, turkey dinners were served in the company's mess hall 
which w^as appropriately decorated for the occasions. After New 
Years the weeks dragged into months and it was not until May 1 9, 
1918, that the company left Camp Wadsw^orth for Camp Stuart, 
Newport News, Va. Meanwhile a severe loss had been sustained, 
but contrary to the established theory, there was no corresponding 
gain. Namely, on March 21st our erstwhile officer. Lieutenant 
White, was assigned to the position of Adjutant of the Sanitary 
Train. That one sentence signifies and will always recall to the Cotton-tails, quail and three other -birds" 

minds of some thousand odd men a period of mirth combined with misery. There may be a niche in heaven for 
Adjutants, but if so we prefer to be relegated to the other place. 

Restrictions were as numerous as they were ridiculous, and of a nature designed to encourage a perfectly new 
and fascinating outdoor sport, known as "running the guard," and though the merciless pen of the lawmaker dealt 
severely with the less fortunate culprits who happened to fall within his clutches, the entire proceedings lent diversion 
and zest to what are now known as the Battles of Wadsworth and Stuart. Although passes were at a premium, many 
a party was hastily organized and enjoyed trips to Old Point Comfort, Fortress Munroe, Buckrow Beach, and Norfolk. 
All things good or bad finally come to an end, however, and when on June 30th all hands clamored aboard the U. S. S. 
Huron, the former "Kaiser Friedrich der Grosse, " it was with light hearts and visions of the sterner duties to be per- 
formed "Over There." 

The trip across was memorable in many respects, though only 
one real exciting incident occurred. A few days out from port a 
.submarine was sighted and a short but decisive naval battle ensued, 
which terminated with the customary disastrous results to the 
U-boat. 



The Fourth of July on the high seas was celebrated by impressive 
;eremonies, speeches by the ship's Captain, the Army Colonel and 
Grande City. Tex. the Chaplain, a band concert and boxing tournament. 




iiljiii 




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np Wads 



At 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the twelfth, the welcome cry 
of "Land " resounded, and shortly afterwards the rockbound coast 
of Brittany became plainly discernible. The fleet of thirteen trans- 
ports at once formed a single file with the good ship Huron second 
in line, and convoyed by numerous torpedo boat destroyers, picked 
its way majestically into the Harbor of Brest, with flags flying, bands 
playing, men singing and cheering, and (what had been a tabooed 
act on the entire trip) electric lights shining brightly. The follow- 
ing day the unloading of men and cargo began and it was a de- 
cidedly happy and carefree throng that trudged through the quaint 
streets to the outskirts of the city where pup tents were pitched in 
a field. We were now in what is termed a "rest camp." To the 
unitiated it may not be amiss to state that the man who invented 
rest camps must have been a combination of deep sea diver and 
contortionist. It rained almost incessantly that first week, and 
when finally the sun broke through the mist someone evolved the brilliant idea to transfer us to the nearby historical 
Pontanezen Barracks where it was easy enough to keep dry even though it did not rain. In lieu of some better reason 
let us say that "for the good of the service" this company was retained at Brest, on duties hereinafter set forth, while 
every other unit of the Sanitary Train was ordered to different points at or near the front. Let it be said to the credit 
of the 105th that although they performed their specified tasks cheerfully, there was not a man who would not gladly 
have changed places with those others who were right up in the line of advance. 

Pontanezen Barracks were visited and inspected on August 2nd 
by General Pershing and on August 1 6th by President Poincare, 
both of whom delivered stirring speeches. Even at that early date 
the General came out openly with the prediction that hostilities 
would cease before the end of the year, and later events proved 
that his prophesy was well founded. 

On August 28th the companv moved to tents in a park called 
Bois de Boulogne, the location being w^ithin easier access to the 
Motor Reception Park and the water front. There were details of 
men assigned to assemble all sorts of motor vehicles, and they did 
it well. Several trips were made with fleets of new motor con- 
veyances driven by our men to such points as La Havre, St. Nazaire, 
and Dijon, which consumed from three to fifteen days. There 
were other details that unloaded hospital trains of wounded 
shack. Camp Wadsworth s C Americans and transferred them to transports to be returned to the 




Personnel of Ambulance Co. 105 as it returned from France, March 1919 



Truex. William E., 1 5 1 E. Genesee St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 
McKemy, John W., 509 W. 4th St., Dayton, O. 
Ballantyne, Reginald M., 211 Barrett St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

.Algeo, Horace F., 1 129 Park Ave., Hoboken, N. J. 

Bailey, William, 270 14th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Bauder, Ray E., 9 Wood St., Baldwinsville, N. Y. 

Benson, Glenn R., Parish, N. Y. 

Bentley, Willis J., 104 Center St., Solvay, N. Y. 

Berry, lohn A.. 739 Ostrom Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Blint, Irving C, 1403 Butternut St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bowne, Warren P., Queensboro Hill, Flushing, L. 1. 

Briggs, Louis, 202 Granger St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bristol, Earl W., Fort Miller, N. Y. 

Bullion, Ambrose F., 313 W. Manlius St., E. Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bunch, John T., 1125 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bunch, Persifer S., Jr., 4 1 9 W. 129th St., New York City, N. 

Bushnell, Carl E., 126 Pleasant .^ve., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Butler, Roscoe H., 15 Marlette Ave., Onondaga Valley, N. Y. 

Buxbaum, Emanuel, 15 12 Union St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Barone, Tony, 169 Cale St., Bridgeport, Conn. 

Chase, Willard W., Charleston, Okla. 

Cioffe, Guisseppe, 1206 North Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. 

Chappell, Clarence J., 532 Columbus Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Chaskel, Walter, 557 Academy St., Astoria, L. I. 

Clark, Robert E., 108 Hartson St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Collins, Joseph, Warners, N. Y. 

DeLano, Carl R., 110 Ballard Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

DeMatteis, Joseph, 673 Central Ave., Peekskill, N. Y. 

Dessert, Frank, 41 I Second St., Liverpool, N. Y. 



DeStefano, Frank, 603 President St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

DeVaro, Rocco, 8646 Bay 12th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Doust, George R., 207 Parkway Drive, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Engelhardt, Emil, 265 Hamburg Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Ferguson, Harry O., Hammond, N. Y. 

Ferrarai, Stefano, 156 Central Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Fey, William H., 300 S. Lowell Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Fey, Paul G., 300 S. Lowell Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Frawley, Kenneth E., 451/2 Salina St., Baldwinsville, N. Y. 

Fuller, Richard, 308 W. 43rd St., New York City, N. Y. 

Foshee, Samuel D., Cohasset, Ala. 

Goebel, George A., 549 Columbus Ave., Syracuse. N. Y. 

Gomez, Daniel J., 1080 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Gorman, Edward J.. 1219 Milton Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Guenthner, Frank H., Jr., 121 Dwight St., Syracuse, N. Y 

Hale, Ivan B., Warners, N. Y. 

Hammond, Arthur L., 508 Elm St., Rome, N. Y. 

Harlow. Clifford J., 824 Cannon St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Henry, Frank D., Port Byron, N. Y. 

Henry, Rowland W., Port Byron, N. Y. 

Holcomb, George A., 54 7 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hull, Robert H., 15 15 Groton Ave., Cortland, N. Y. 

Harris, Percy L., Christoval, Tex. 

Jennings, George H., Kinney St., East Syracuse, N. Y. 

Jennings, Merton E., Kinney St., East Syracuse, N. Y. 

Johnson. Ravmond A., 1 Hull Park Ave., Batavia, N. Y. 

Jones, Harold C, 3 10 Grant Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Klink, Philip C, 702 Ash St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Kompe, Clair, 613 Park St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Kresga, John F., 309 Cascadilla St., Ithaca. N. Y. 

Kurtz. Walter S., 112 Seward St., Syracuse, N. Y. 



Lanning, Raymond. 145 Lawrence St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

LaValle, Leon C, 805 Highland St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Layden, John R., Hornell, N. Y. 

Leib. Arthur E., 4 1 Prospect St.. Newark, N. Y. 

Levine, Sidney L., 181 Bay 2 5th St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. 

Lewis, Albert D., Brewerton. N. Y. 

Lewis, Henry J., 25 1 1 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Littlewood, Ernest, 339 Driscoll Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Marchese. Salvatore, 217 Wallabout St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Marks, Allan K., 1742 St. Paul St., Rochester, N. Y. 

Maynard, Wi.bur E., 90 McLean Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. 

Mendell, Guy E., 504 E. Jefferson St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Metz, Floravne A., Jamesville, N. Y. 

Michaels, Michael A.. 1301 S. Geddes St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Miller, Jacob, 106 Josephine St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Moore, Felix L., 79 Barnes St., 2 Gouverneur, N. Y. 

Moss, Albert J., 222 Shonnard St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Mulherin, Frank J., 279 North St.. Rochester. N. Y. 

Muller. Carroll. 4610 S. Salina St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 

McFall, Robert L., 307 Crossett St., Syracuse. N. Y. 

McDougall, John D., Krebbo, Okla. 

Nickels, Edward, 618 Park St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

O'Rear, Rufus, Dekallo. Tex. 

Paetznick, Victor H., 1008 Butternut St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Pannell. Henry B., Comanche, Okla. 

Parkhurst, Charles E., 363 Tennyson Ave.. Syracuse, N. 

Peck, Louis B., 1812 Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Plant, William A., 153 Beverly Rd., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Ratnour. Claude L.. Chittenango. N. Y. 

Rea, Carl B.. 15 Morris St.. Auburn, N. Y. 



Richai 

Reich. 

Shipp, 

Scamr 

Schille 

Schwa 

Sea ma 

Short, 

Short, 

Smith, 

Snyde 

Stantc 

Stewa 

Sulliv, 

Swift. 

Tomli 

Tuck. 

Vallai 

VanR 

Vedd. 

Weiss 

Wells, 

Wells, 

Willia 

Wilso 

Wool 

Yuck 

Zarer 

Zion. 



dson. Ernest W.. 361 South Ave., Syracuse. N. ' 

.nbach. Fred. 457 18th St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. 
Howard J., R. F. D. I, Box 57, Nash, Texas 

lell, Carl L., 618 Onondaga Ave., Syracuse. N. ' 

r. Carl J.. 808 Court St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 

rtz. Harry, 88 Humboldt St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. 

n. Raymond V.. Washi-ngtonville. N. Y. 
Harry D.. 4 Benham Ave.. Auburn, N. Y. 
Harold J., 4 Benham Ave., Auburn, N. Y. 
, Fred J., 114 Grand Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
r. Henry W.. 109 Douglas St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 
■ n, John, Jr., 143 Coolidge Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
rt. Gage H., 307 Crouse Bldg., Syracuse. N. Y. 
»n, Edward J.. 703 Oswego St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Frederick W., 815 South Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
nson, Charles J., 102 W. Corning Ave., Syracus. 

r, Bernard. 808 Greenway Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 
o. Anthony, 44 N. Lexington Ave., White Plains, 



N. Y. 



per, Alfred L., 3 13 Jackson St., Syracuse, N. Y. 
r, Maurice C, 4 Division St., Ba'dwinsville, N. Y. 
John, 218 E. 7;h St.. New York City, N. Y. 
Fred. 523 Burnet Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 
Raymond. 214 Blust St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 
ms. Ernest E.. Coxscacie. N. Y. 
n, Arthur J., 439 N. Main St.. Scranton. Pa. 
ley. John H., 566 Vancortland Park Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. 
=1, Thomas R., 311 W. Pleasant Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
aba. Stanley E.. 408 Liberty St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 
Walter S., 107 Sweeting St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 



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Former Members of Ambulance Co. (105 4th Ambulance Co.) 



Latta, Jefferson B., Park and Butternut Sts., Syracuse. N. Y. 
Schwartz, Seymour C, 302 Hawley Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
Wallace, Kenneth E., 54 West 100th St., New York City 
Dunning, Ralph H., 2710 James St., Syracuse. N. Y. 
Wetherell, Frederick S., 629 Catherine St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Anson, Charles, 14 Grand St., Rochester, N. Y. 

Anson, Raymond, 14 Grand St., Rochester. N. Y. 

Besick, John, Minoa, N. Y. 

Barfoot, Frank, 421 Tallman St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bahn, Chester H., Liverpool, N. Y. 

Brisbin, Jack H., 330 Third North St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Bliss, Seymour C, 28 S. Main St., Holley, N. Y. 

Buhl, Karl H., 915 Butternut St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Burton. Thomas, Utica, N. Y. 

Bentley, Claude H., 104 Center St., Solvay, N. Y. 

Brown, Chas. E., Capitol St., Auburn, N. Y. 

Beers, Leroy V., 102 Coral Ave., Onondaga Valley, N. Y. 

Cate, Howard E., 27 1 W. Lafayette Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Cate, William F., P. O. Box 3 14, Oriskany Falls, N. Y. 

Coolidge, Henry A., 427 Shonnard St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Clearwater, Chandler C, 123 Atherlon Ave,. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Conroy. Francis D., 39 Fair St., Norwich, N. Y. 

Costello, William J., 9 Westmore Rd., Boston, Mass. 

Crandall, Frank, R. F. D. No. I, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Crandall. Clayton W., R. F. D. No. 1, Syracuse. N. Y. 

Coling. Walter M., 203 1 S. Geddes St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Chase. Wil'iam J.. 403 South Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Edgren. Edward F., Turtle St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Earll, David S., Jr., 615 Butternut S"., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Flint, Albert O., East Syracuse. N. Y. 

Fish. Henry A.. 328 Sherwood Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Fish. Herbert J.. 2031 Cortland Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Farrance. Leslie ,A.. 843 S. Wilbur Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Farnett. Alfred J., 304 Tennyson Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Graff. Harry N.. 511 E. Jefferson St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Gronau. Frank A.. 949 Emerson Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Grobosky. Leonard I.. 228 Hier Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Gomon. Harry L.. I 109 Milton Ave., Solvay. N. Y. 

Gwynn. Arthur T., 64 7 Dwi-jht St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Glahn. Roland D.. 200 Seneca St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Glahn, Frederick, 200 Seneca St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Gifford, Bert H., 1 5 I E. Genesee St., Syracuse. N. Y. 



DeGarland. Maurice. Ft. McPherson. Atlanta. Ga. 

Hutchinson. Bede. 222 Shonnard St.. Syracuse, N. Y. 

Holl, Claire P., 81 Pomeroy St., Cortland, N. Y. 

Hooper, Leon M., 301 Centre St.. Solvay. N. Y. 

Harrington. Louis H.. 617 Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hubbard, John F., 1945 W. Fayette St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Holloran. John A.. 243 Fitch St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Haines, Harold, 347 Robinson St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hale, Lucien, Fayetteville, N. Y. 

Hollis, Raymond A., 2321 Uber St., Philadelphia, N. Y. 

Harrison, Richard F., 1 105 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N. Y 

Hook, Arthur C, 209 Wall St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Jones, George A., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Johnson. Grover C. 415 Federal Bldg.. Buffalo. N. Y. 

Kellar. Walter. 3 58 W. Newell St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Kunlz. Louis L.. 605 Danforth St.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Lavoy, Kenneth R., 107 E. Yates Ave., East Syracuse, N. V 

Lavoy, Frank M., 107 E. Yates St., East Syracuse, N. Y. 

Laidlaw, Glenn, Gouverneur, N. Y. 

Meyer, Herbert C, 203 Seymour St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Nickels, Chas. J., Minneapolis, Minn. 

Perry, Solvay, 10 1 Arlington Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Peck, Eber K. O., Warner, N. Y. 

Palmer. William S.. Boston. Mass. 

Phelps. Ellsworth E.. 1438 S. State St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Quick, Floyd, Seymour St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Rapp, Wi'liam, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Richardson, Frank J., 812 High'and Ave., Syracuse. N. Y. 

Reese. A'bert. 1 14 Garfield St.. Rochester, N. Y. 

Rounds, Harry E., 206 Craig S:.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Sul'ivan, William J., 703 Oswego St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Smith, Al. H., 217 W. Kennedy St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Schindler, Leo, 812 Highland St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Schindler, Walter, I 1 8 S. Carbon St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Stevens. Edward M.. Ill Harricon P'.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Terrerzio, Enrico. P. O. Box 51. Lincoln Park. N. Y. 

Terwori. Wil'iam A.. Rou'e No. 4. Kiowa. Okla. 

Woodruff'. Chas.. 4 Snowden Apts.. Syracuse. N. Y. 

Wiegand. Maurice, 1301 N. S'ale St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Webb. John, fernwood. N. Y. 

Wood. Moses A., 1206 E. Water St., Syracuse, N. Y. 

Walsh, John R., Buffa'o, N. Y. 

We';ster. lames I., Eastwood, N. Y. 

Yi'kely, Harold E.. 705 Turtle S;,, Syracuse, N. Y. 




States. And they did that well. Still others unloaded the sick 
men from incoming ships, and though we shall only touch briefly 
on this phase of our endeavors in this narrative, it will always form 
a memorable chapter in our lives. It was here that we first began 
to realize and appreciate the months of training and physical con- 
ditioning received at Camp Wadsworth, for, exposed to all manner 
of contagion, not a man in the company contracted the dreaded 
"Flu" or pneumonia. in utmost modesty it may likewise be 
chronicled that this duty was performed creditably, and met with 
the unqualified commendation of the Base Surgeon. 

Finally on October 1 4th the order to move toward the front 
was received and immediately there was great rejoicing in the ranks. 

Our dream was at last to be fulfilled. That which we had enlisted Motor Ambulances Camp Wadsworth s c 

for would soon be realized. One feature marred what would have 

otherwise been a joyous occasion. Captain Latta, who had come to be looked upon as a fixture of this company, had 

been ordered to remain in Brest to organize a Provisional Ambulance Company, and thirteen of our men volunteered 

to form the neucleus, in exchange for which a like number was added to our ranks. 

Captain Truex took over the reins of office and together with Captain Ballantyne the railroad journey began with 

the ultimate destination in doubt by all. The first stop of importance was at Rouen, where ample time was given 

the men for sight-seeing, and there were many points of interest 
to be looked up. The famous Cathedrals, Museums, and the spot 
where "Jeanne dArc" perished, were but a few of the places sought 
out. That night the company in a body attended an excellent 
variety show and surprised the audience as well as performers by 
outbursts of genuine \ ankee enthusiasm. We were now in a sec- 
tion of France in which British troops predominated and in many 
respects the change was a welcome one, especially as we could once 
m.ore make ourselves understood without the aid of violent gesticu- 
lations to which we had been forced to resort in ""parley-vooing" 
to the natives of Brest. 

The compartment coaches in which we had travelled thus far 
were substituled for dinky box cars, labelled "40 Hommes — 8 
Cheveaux"", and after another day and night en route we entered 
the zone through which Death had but recently stalked. Amiens 
was the first city through which we passed that showed marks of 
bombardments. The next town, Villers Bretenoux, was the 
Entrance to Harbor, Brest. France farthest point the Germans had reached, and from here on every 




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village was literally wiped off the map. The more level stretches 
of country were covered with line upon line of communicating 
trenches in various states of demolition, while every hillside was 
honeycombed with dugouts, some to accommodate one or two men 
and others capable of affording shelter to a thousand or more. 
Barbed wire entanglements seemed to cover every foot of the 
ground, and shell holes varying in diameter from six to sixty feet 
had disembowled the earth. Trees, leafless and bare seemed to 
raise their limbs heavenward as if in mute supplication. Taken all 
in all, the ruin and desolation baffles description. 

At Roisel we quit the train and were ordered to a camp on a 
hillside overlooking the Valley of the Somme. Our kitchen was 
established in a shed that had served as stable shelter for German 
o„„„„„.„ D,„,.-i„ n,.„, u..,„^. artillery horses not more than two weeks previously, and directly 

rontanezen carracKs, crest, r ranee .' t ^ f 

outside a gigantic red cross was outlined on the ground — another evidence of Hun deviltry — to give the allied airmen 

the impression of the presence of a Field Hospital. Heavy firing could be heard distinctly, and at night red flashes 

in the heavens denoted the proximity of the battle line. It was here that we were rejoined by Captain McKemy and 

other units of the Sanitary Train who had been privileged to participate in actions on various fronts, and their lurid 

descriptions made us feel as though we had had things pretty soft 

thus far. The 2 7th Division, which had broken the Hindenburg 

line a fortnight before, v^^as then coming out of the lines for a well 

earned rest in a back area, and we, who had done nothing of an 

active nature had to follow along, though it was not at all to our 

liking. An incident occurred right here that is worthy of mention. 

Less than an hour after our train pulled out of Roisel, the tracks 

and platform where we had been standing was blown up by a 

delayed German mine. Several soldiers were killed and much 

property damaged. 

TTie next stop was Corbie (October 25) a small town at the 
junction of the Ancre and Somme rivers that had been the scene 
of some of the fiercest fighting of the war. It was here that the 
French and British held the Germans in check and finally be^an 
their great forward drive from this point. The surrounding battle 
fields had not been cleared of debris and therefore afforded a 




veritable harvest for souvenir hunters. If there is a man in this company who does not possess a "Jerry" helmet, 
bayonet, "Got Mit Uns" belt, etc., it is because he was too lazy to go out and pick them up. We were billeted in 
a row of little houses long since abandoned by the owners, and each squad began light housekeeping on a more or less 
elaborate scale. An exceptional dinner marked the anniversary of our third birthday. 

On the morning of November I 0th a very impressive ceremony took place in honor of our departed comrades. 
The Division was lined up on a piece of rising ground and at the stroke of 10 oclock every man stood at attention 
while a massed band played "Nearer My God to Thee." It was a vastly different appearing body of men that passed 
in review before the General that day than on former occasions at Camp Wadsworth. The ranks were sadly depleted 
in numbers, but there was a look of determination in the eyes of the men which bespoke of readiness to re-enter the 
lines and avenge the loss of their fallen pals. This was in reality to be a final inspection before moving up toward the 
battle front again. However, the very next day, November 1 I th, needless to say what occurred. We were 
astounded by the incessant tolling of the Cathedral bells proclaiming the signing of the Armistice. The tri-color of 
France, in many cases pathetically faded and worn, was triumphantly flown from the modest homes of recently 
returned refugees. At first, neither the natives nor the Yanks could grasp the full significance of the glorious event, 
but as the day progressed rejoicing became more general, and at night-fall took on quite a 4th of July aspect. 

From that date until the 26th, when we left Corbie for a back area, there was doubt whether our Division 
would be comprised in the Army of Occupation or be returned to the States, but when it became known that we were 
destined for the latter move, joy was unbounded and speculation rife as to the likelihood of seeing home by Christmas. 

St. Corneille, on the outskirts of which village we took up our abode in the shadow of an unoccupied Chateau, 
may be found on the map (by very close scrutiny) twenty kilos from Le Mans. Occasional visits to that c.ty helped 
to break the monotony of our doleful existence. Squads distributed themselves in stables, cowsheds, chicken coops 
and haylofts, and wiled away the time in eating, sleeping and writing falsehoods to the folks back home. The wag- 
oners kept busy transporting the sick of the Division from neighboring villages to the Chateau, which had been con- 
verted into a hospital. A very acceptable Xmas present was the acquisition of another officer to the company, Lieut. 
Kenneth B. Wallace. On New Year's day, by invitation of the Sanitary Train, one hundred French children gathered 
together outside the village church and each was presented with a little package of gifts as a momento of the 
American Soldiers' sojourn in their midst. A band concert helped to enliven the festivities. 

On January 22nd the 27th Division marched to an appointed rendezvous and was reviewed by the Commander-in- 
Chief, General Pershing, after which about fifty officers and men were personally decorated with medals. 

After many false starts, we finally received orders to pack up, and on February 25th m; --ched to Champagne 
(6 kilos), where we boarded American box cars and reached Brest the next day. An eight k o hike to Camp Pon- 
tanezen in a drenching rain and with full packs dampened everything except our spirits, and we ci<eerfully put up with 
the inconveniences of sleeping and eating facilities for the next five days, as we realized we were N -ginning the last lap 
of the campaign. Four more of our men were transferred to the Motor Ambulance Pool and , mained with Major 
Latta. Lieutenant Wallace had received his Captaincy the day we left St. Corneille, but his E...d our joy over his 




promoti'on was overshadowed by an order transferring him to a 
Casual Company at Brest. The rest of us shouldered packs and 
stumbled over stony roads down to the water front where after slight 
delay we crowded on lighters and soon were aboard the U. S. S. 
Mount Vernon. It was a coincidence that we should be returning 
home aboard the same vessel from which we unloaded the wounded 
after she had been torpedoed on September 5th. This was her 
first trip after coming out of dry dock. At 10 o'clock that night 
she weighed anchor, and most of us having retired early did not 
even realize that we were under way until the next morning, when 
all that could be seen were the rolling billows of the broad Atlantic. 
Our ship, the former German liner Kronprincessin Cecilie, was 
a palace compared to the Huron, and in every respect but one the 
trip was far more enjoyable. That one exception was seasickness, 

with which fully one-half of the 6000 troops were afflicted the first "Jerry" Prisoners Actm;; as Litter-bearers 

few days. Soon, however, appetites rel-urned and the most sought 

after detail below decks was in the galley dispensing food and incidentally devouring it. The meals were excellent, 
sleeping and washing accommodations far superior to those on the "Huron", and another advantage was the unre- 
stricted use of all deck space. 

At 4 a. m., March I! th a distant light became dimly visible and it did not require a mariner to conclude that we 

were in sight of the good old U. S. A. It was then that all the 
months of pent-up emotion broke loose and the men went wild vsrith 
delight. Cheer upon cheer rang out, but strange though it may 
seem, the sounds choked in our throats when the Statue of Liberty 
loomed through the mist. By 7:30 a. m. the Mount Vernon was 
moored alongside Pier 4. Hoboken, a band was playing, the ever- 
present Red Cross was right on the job, and when the adjacent dock 
was reached the Mayor's Committee boat bearing relatives and 
friends of the returned soldiers was there to greet us. Loaded on 
to ferries the next stop was Weehawken, then by train to Camp 
Merritt, N. J., which we found to be an ideal place. The "Powers 
that be" decreed that passes were to be granted liberally and 24 
hour leaves for New Yorkers and 72 hour leaves for up-State men 
gave the long sought after opportunity for an early reunion v^^ith 
the home folks. 
olished Cathedral, Corbie. France Early on the morning of the 24th we took our departure from 




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I lilii ililMiilllllil I liilllil 1 1 1 lillllililillllil I li iJIMill II Illlllllllllllllllli11ll||llllllllll|li||lil|lllillll!fl||i lllllillil 







^^ Camp Merritt and hiked over the Palisades to the Hudson and by 
j^^ ferry and subway finally reached the Armory of the 22nd Engineers. 
^^ The following day the crowning event of our army life occurred. 

Whether the parade was more inspiring to those v^rho marched or 
" ^ to the millions that witnessed it, is a question. New York, long 

famed for doing things in superlatives, far outdid itself in doing 
- =sss honor to its returned "OWN". The triumphal march of five miles 
^^ up the flag-bedecked avenue, through magnificent arches, and 
^^ between a struggling, howling mass of humanity, banked on both 

sides of the line of march, compensated for all we had passed 
^== through during our army career, and made every man feel proud 

of belonging to a unit of the 2 7th Division, U. S. A. 
-^mr- Can we ever forget those last lingering days at Camp Upton! 

g^^^ Despite the unseasonable weather, the rather poor mess, the tire- 
^^ some lectures, etc.. the men seemed to have become suddenly 
=^ embued with an effervescence of spirits which at times completely bubbled over. There was no telling from one 




minute to the next what new escapade vv^ould be 




Vernon "Homeward Bound" 



pulled." Douglas Fairbanks" stuff predominated. Still, why not 
the rejoicing? Were we not on the eve of the event for which all 
hearts had pined for weeks and weeks? To transpose Mr. Shaks- 
pere's apt remarks, ""Not that we loved the O. D.'s less, but the 
'civvies' more." 

On the morning of April 4th the mustering out process was 
finally concluded and every member of the Company who claimed 
Syracuse or vicinity as his home, boarded Pullmans that night and 
arrived next morning to find the Salt City as anxious to receive him 
as he was to return to the familiar scenes. 

The parade to the Armory, the civic and other entertainments 
thus brought to a close our army career and gave added significance 
to the words emblazoned on the City Hall: "Syracuse Bids You 
Welcome." 



iiiiliiillil 



Army life does wonders to make or break a man, 
Such cases were traditional since this old world began 
No matter what he looked like or from whence he cam< 
At the time of final muster out he never looks the same 
A ninety pounder may gain weight, 

A heavy man grows thin; 
Private Buck might graduate 

To shiny bars of tin. 
A meek insipid looking youth 

Acquires every vice. 
While others who were most uncouth 

Become so very nice. 
The tidy ones grow sloppy. 

The careless oft" improve; 
Some captains try to copy 

A mule that will not move. 
Teetot'lers might acquire 

A thirst for old "vin rouge", 



HOW DID YOU COME OUT? 

While those who licked up fire 

Thought best to drop the booze. 
The hustlers became goldbricks, 
• The goldbricks gained a step; 

Old dogs learned many new tricki. 

And now are full of pep. 
Some men blow in their hard-earned chink 
^ All night in shooting craps. 

Then marvel at the other gink 

Who's in his bunk at taps. 
If further proof is needed 

To emphasize these facts 
Please contemplate and heed it, 

The history and acts 

Of one decrepit Kaiser, 

Who thought he'd beat the world. 
And now is sad but wiser. 



thi 



Dund 



rth be 



hur 



THE REGENERATION OF A CAPTAIN 



On the fi. 
He resolve 
Kind and 



st of January 

.d he would be verj 

;ood thenceforth to 



Man in this ungodly strife. 

He wou'd not be mean and crabby. 
But as a good hearted chap he 
Would do more to make us happy 
And to bless our army life. 

He had always loved us greatly, 
But had shown it too sedately. 
And he had been thinking lately 
Of the many little ways 

In which he might show affection. 
Cutting out mess kit inspection. 
Yet he knew that some correction 
Would entitle him to praise. 

So next morning 

Mentioned it wa 

Even went so fa 

As to fit him 



the old silly 
growing chilly, 
r with Philly 
up first class. 



"I'll obtain for you an issue 
Of some soap, candles and tissue. 
And besides all this I wish you 
Would accept from me a pass. 



Would you care to visit 


Paree? 


Promenade with Jeanne 


and Marie, 


Hear the Mademoiselles 


cry oui oui 


It's much livelier tha 


1 Brest. 


If you're indiscreet, I'm 


30rr 


I'll pay bills, you neec 


n't worry— 


Take your time you m 


ustn't hurry- 


You deserve a we!l-es 


rned rest." 



Said next week he might be able 
To transfer us from the stable; 
He remarked about the table 
And the excellence of fare. 



Said the mess 

And the baco 

"Who," he Si 

Greater ble 



We were brea 

If somehow he 

Could it be sc 

Him from r. 



A-as most delicious 

; so nutritious — 

id, "is there to ^vish i 

isings than we share?* 



hiess 
had 



and we wondered 
ot blundered 
ain had sundered 
When he Uft 



We sat down quite faint and worried 
For he had not speechless, hurried 
Through his breakfast and then scurried 
For his horse. Was he bereft 



Of his snses? We were getting 
Very nervous from our fretting. 
And our thoughts were all for letting 
Colonel Pilsenpowders know. 



For, perhaps, he needed dosing. 
Scientific diagnosing. 

Or a rest from tasks engrossing 

We would tell the Colonel sol 

All the while these worries clustered. 
We admit it had us flustered. 
But at length some way we mustered 
Up the courage to ask "Why?" 

And the Captain's voice so cheery 
Made us actually feel leery 
When he called the "topper" dearie — 
It's impossible. Good-bye! 



It haa given me nuch pleasure to read this accurate hlstoiry ot Ambulance Oo> 
#105, covering briefly Its activities from Its formation to the present time. 
Such a record reflects the greatest credit on the organliation and stamds as a 
fitting testimonitd to edl men who have been members of this command. Had 
this last great war continued a few days longer this company would have seen 
mors service nearer the front. However, wound chevrons and battles are not 
evorything in war, and no mors valuable work was dons anywhere overseas than 
that perforraed by this company at Brest. 

The pereonal loyalty of each man to his officers and to me, as well as the 
discipline and efficiency of the unit as a whole, is thoroughly appreciated, 
and I am only too glad to add this note of coimiandatlon to its permanent 

records. /:^^^^^577'^^^^-^*^^^^'^ 

Lt. Col. U. C. Com. 102 Sanitary Train 




In Memoriam 

JOHN B. ELLIS 

Died 
Le Mans, France 

January 16, 1919 



